Device to dispense active substances into rinse water, especially in toilet bowls

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a device to dispense active substances into rinse water, especially in toilet bowls, with a container for the active substance, wherein the container has an opening that connects with an essentially plate-shaped distributor, and with a device to hold the distributor on or close to the toilet bowl wall. The distributor consists of two essentially plate-shaped elements. There are intersecting grooves, channels or the like between the plate-shaped elements, and a first group of grooves runs outward from the distributor while the other second group of grooves only runs within the distributor.

[0001] The invention concerns a device to dispense active substancesinto rinse water, especially in a toilet bowl, according to the preambleof patent claim 1.

[0002] EP 0 53 89 57 B1 describes a device of the kind cited above andrefers to a container with its opening facing downward that holds aliquid-permeable seal in the container opening to control the release ofthe active substance to a porous body below. Such a device allows therelease or dosing of the active substance through the liquid-permeableseal in the container opening. The porous body absorbs the releasedactive substance and retains it after a flush, and the active substanceis released to the surrounding air. With this device, the activesubstance is dosed only through the liquid-permeable seal in thecontainer opening. The comparatively expensive porous body isdisadvantageous along with the fact that the porous body itself cannotbe used to control or distribute the active substance into the toiletbowl. The liquid-permeable seal must therefore be provided as anadditional element.

[0003] DE 197 23 393 A1 describes a device to release active substancesin which the active ingredient container with its opening facingdownward releases the active ingredient by dripping. Somewhatundesirable traces are left in the toilet bowl where the activesubstance contacts it. To counteract this disadvantage, an intermediatesupport is provided for the prior-art device that extends into thedownward path of the active ingredient and releases the activeingredient together with the rinse water into the toilet bowl and thusavoids the cited traces of active ingredient.

[0004] The invention is therefore based on the problem of improving adevice of the initially-cited kind so that the release of the activesubstance is controlled exclusively by the distributor, and the devicehas a simple and economical design.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by the featuresof patent claim 1.

[0006] Other embodiments of the device according to the invention arefound in the subclaims.

[0007] The invention provides a device to dispense an active substanceinto the rinse water of a toilet bowl, and especially a dispenser wherea liquid active ingredient in a container is released during the flushto the rinse water and also remains on a provided distributor surfaceafter the flush to freshen the air in the area of the toilet bowl.

[0008] The distributor provided in the invention is essentially definedby intersecting grooves. A first group of grooves releases thepreferably liquid active substance outward from the distributor towardthe toilet bowl, and a second group of grooves distributes the liquidactive substance within the distributor. The second group of groovespreferably has a larger open cross-section and appropriately distributesthe active substance within the distributor to the grooves that leadoutward.

[0009] These grooves or channels are preferably parallel in each group.The grooves of the two groups intersect in the distributor tospecifically and satisfactorily distribute the active ingredientoutward.

[0010] The two groups of grooves act like capillary tubes, i.e., theliquid active ingredient is drawn from the outside via the first groovegroup either by the rinse water running inside the toilet bowl over thedistributor, or by the independent evaporation of the liquid activesubstance between the individual flushes. A corresponding design of thecross-section of the individual grooves allows the liquid activesubstance to be correspondingly specifically dosed or dispensed into thetoilet bowl both during and between the flushes.

[0011] In the following, preferred embodiments of the device accordingto the invention will be described with reference to drawings to clarifyadditional features, in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the device according to theinvention,

[0013]FIG. 2 shows a partial section of the device according to theinvention viewed from the side, and

[0014]FIG. 3 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of a part of thedistributor,

[0015]FIG. 4 shows a view of another part of the distributor from below,

[0016]FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the device according to theinvention altered from FIG. 1, and

[0017]FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the plate-shaped element of thedistributor.

[0018] The device according to the invention to dispense activesubstances is shown in FIG. 1 in an exploded view and consists of acontainer 1 preferably consisting of a translucent plastic in anydesired form, a distributor 4 composed of two essentially plate-shapedelements 2,3, and possibly a frame 5 especially to receive thedistributor 4.

[0019] The container 1 is provided with an opening 7 in its bottom sidein FIG. 1. Before use, the opening 7 of the container 1 is sealed fromthe inside by a membrane 8 or the like to prevent the liquid activesubstance of the container 1 from leaving. By placing the container 1 onthe device in the manner described later, the membrane 8 or the like isopened by a spike 9 or the like.

[0020] The distributor for releasing the active substance of the deviceaccording to the invention has a construction that essentially consistsof plate-shaped elements 2,3, whereby each element 2,3 preferablyconsists of plastic and is provided with set grooves, channels or thelike.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the distributor consists of a firstbottom plate 3 and a second upper plate 2 on top.

[0022] According to the invention, there is a structure defined bygrooves, channels or the like between the two plate-shaped elements 2,3preferably made of plastic so that, when the container 1 is open, theliquid active substance can be dispensed from the container 1 via thegrooves, channels or the like through the distributor 4 into the toiletbowl or rinse water.

[0023] In principle, it is only essential for the grooves to be locatedbetween the two plate-shaped elements 2,3; the grooves can be in thebottom of element 2 or in the top of element 3, or both in the bottom ofelement 2 and top of element 3. In the latter case, the groove sectionsassigned to each other can communicate with each other, i.e., coincide.

[0024] In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the first group of grooves orchannels 11 runs perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of theplate-shaped element 3. The grooves 11 are preferably equally spaced ascan be seen in FIG. 3 and preferably run the entire length and width ofelement 3, although this is not absolutely necessary. The second groupof grooves 12 extends parallel to the lengthwise axis and is laterallyoffset from the midaxis, i.e., along the area that is covered by element2. The number of grooves 12 of the second group is preferably 3 but canbe greater or less as needed.

[0025] The grooves 12 of the second group preferably have a greater opencross-section in contrast to the perpendicular grooves 11 whosecross-section is shown to provide a full distribution of the liquidactive ingredient over the entire length of the element 3 so that allthe grooves 11 running perpendicular to this can be sufficientlysupplied with liquid active substance.

[0026] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the element 3 is essentiallyrectangular. The plate-shaped element 2 on element 3 also has anessentially rectangular shape and can be provided with additionalgrooves 12 a as in FIG. 4 that coincide with the grooves 12 of element 3to enlarge the open cross-section of the formed grooves of the secondgroup in the area where elements 2,3 coincide.

[0027] For filling the distributor 4, the top element 2 is provided withan opening 14, around which a flange-like projection 15 can be provided,to receive the neck 1 a of the container 1.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, element 2 sits onelement 3. Element 2 is on the side of element 3 to cover or enclose thegrooves 12 while the plate-shaped element 3 extends over the side beyondplate shaped element 2. The grooves 11 in the remaining free surface ofthe plate-shaped element 3 serve to guide the liquid active substancethat flows from the container 1 through opening 7, through opening 14 ofelement 2, into the connecting channel formed by the grooves 12, andoutward via grooves 11 either during a flush in the toilet bowl orbetween flushes to act as an air freshener.

[0029] From the above description, we can see that there areintersections between the grooves 12 of the second group and grooves 11of the first group to guide the liquid active ingredient that entersthrough opening 14 into the distributor 4 via channels 12 into channels11.

[0030] When the plate-shaped element 3 is covered by the plate-shapedelement 2, the grooves 11 and 12 are enclosed, i.e., they form channelsor capillary-like tubes, while the grooves 11 that are outside of theplate-shaped elements 2 are open at the top and are hence accessible tothe rising rinse water.

[0031] The cross-section of the grooves 11, 12, 12 a can be a V, U, etc.The open cross-section of the grooves 11 is selected so that the activeingredient in the container 1 is dosed from the distributor 4 toward theplate-shaped element 3 that is directly accessible to the rinse water.

[0032]FIG. 4 shows a view of the plate-like element 2 from below. InFIG. 4 we can see that the plate-like element 2 can have grooves 12 athat also run in a lengthwise direction on its bottom that coincide withthe corresponding grooves 12 on the top of the bottom plate-shapedelement 3. This substantially enlarges the open cross-section of thecombined groove sections 12, 12 a. Alternately, the grooves 12 can beformed just by the grooves 12 a on the bottom surface of theplate-shaped element 2, and the corresponding grooves 12 in the surfaceof the plate shaped element 3 are dispensed with. In this case, thegrooves 12 a connect to channel liquid with the grooves 11 perpendicularto element 3 to draw active substance from the container 1 via thedistributor 4 in the direction of the plate section 3 a.

[0033] From the partial section in FIG. 2, we can see that after thecontainer 1 is put on, the seal 8, e.g. in the form of a membrane or aplug, is pressed by the spike 9 out of the neck-shaped opening 7 of thecontainer into the container. The neck 1 a of the container 1 is then inthe opening flange 15 in FIG. 2 that can be designed as a circularcollar on the plate-shaped element 2. The section of the plate-shapedelement 3 extending away on the side from the plate-shaped element 2 isdesignated by 3 a in FIG. 2. When the device according to the inventionis placed on the edge of a toilet bowl from the inside, the platesection 3 a is close and approximately perpendicular to the essentiallyvertical wall of the toilet bowl and is therefore contacted by the rinsewater during each flush.

[0034]FIG. 5 shows an embodiment altered from FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 5,the parts that are the same as in FIGS. 1 and 2 have the same referencenumbers and will therefore not be described. In contrast to theembodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pot-shaped frame 5 on the bottom of thedevice according to the invention in the first embodiment is dispensedwith. In the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, it has a hook-like holder 18that is provided in a manner known per se for such devices to clamp thedevice to the edge of a toilet bowl or the like. Correspondingly, theholder 18 is to be placed on the distributor 4 or on another site. Inthis embodiment, only a frame-like essentially flat and rectangularframe 5 a is provided to reduce the overall height of the device. Theframe 5 a merely serves as a base for the plate-shaped element 3 and canbe dispensed with if necessary.

[0035] In another embodiment of the invention, the distributor 4 isdesigned so that there are no grooves 11 in the area identified as 3 a,or the area 3 a is created with a predetermined surface roughness, andthe grooves 11 and 12 are exclusively formed where the two elements 2and 3 overlap. Accordingly, all the grooves 11 and/or 12 can be just onthe bottom surface of the element 2. In this case, the surface roughnessof section 3 a has the purpose of keeping the exiting liquid activeingredient on the top of the plate-shaped element 3.

[0036] As can be seen from the above description, the grooves orchannels 11, 12 in the overlapping area between the elements 2 and 3define a tubular connecting system that has the purpose of distributingthe liquid active substance that enters from the container 1 into thedistributor 4 over the entire length and width of the plate-shapedelement 3 in the coinciding area of both elements 2,3. In the embodimentin FIGS. 1-4, the system also evenly distributes the substance outwardon the side via the grooves 11 of section 3 a. This communicating tubesystem has approximately the effect of a capillary system, i.e., therinse water arriving at the area 3 a of the plate-shaped element 3 candraw the liquid active substance from the distributor 4, and this effectcan be controlled by the open cross-section of the tube or groovesystem. The cross section of the tube or groove system hence alsodepends on the consistency of the liquid active substance and easilyallows the life or dispensing time of the active substance to becontrolled in relation to the consistency of the liquid activesubstance.

[0037] With the device according to the invention, the container 1 canbe exchanged after the active substance is used up, i.e., a newcontainer 1 can be put on by placing it with the opening 7 facing downon the distributor 4. The container 1 is then essentially perpendicularto the plate-shaped elements 2,3.

[0038] In another embodiment of the invention, the side of theplate-shaped element 3 facing away from the grooves 12 has a preferablyflexible contact section 19 that is shown in FIG. 6 and serves toprovide a tight contact with the toilet bowl wall (not shown in FIG. 2).The purpose of section 19 is to specifically guide the water running offof the wall of the toilet bowl to area 3 a to improve the mixture of theactive substance with the rinse water. Section 19 can be flexible sothat it adapts to the shape of the wall of the toilet bowl and causes agenerally tight seal against the wall of the toilet bowl.

[0039] The width of the entire plate-shaped element 3 in FIG. 6 can beas shown in FIG. 3, and the grooves 11 can extend to the edge of section19, i.e., the grooves 11 can run through sections 19.

[0040] In another embodiment of the invention, the distributor 4consists of the first and second plate-shaped elements 2,3, but thecommon edge of the two elements is preferably fixed and articulated viaa film hinge (not shown).

[0041] If one of the two plate-shaped elements 2,3 made of plastic has aflat contact surface in contrast to the other plate-shaped elementprovided with the ridges 11,12, a certain capillary effect arises inrelation to the element with ridges as a result of the preferablycentral placement of the container neck in reference to the distributor,and this can be used to control the dispensing of the active substance.

[0042] The device according to the invention allows the active substanceto be guided outward over the plate-shaped element 3 and into the toiletbowl. The active substance is distributed via the grooves 11 in thesurface of the element 2. During a flush, the water is guided via theopen area, i.e., via section 3 a and the active substance is washed off.To improve the supply of rinse water to the element 3, the section 19 isbent upward like a lip.

[0043] In another preferred embodiment, the ribs 11 are in a V shape andcover a 60° angle while the ribs 12 in the plate-shaped element 3 run ina lengthwise direction and cover and angle of 90°. The ribs 12 aredistributed over an area that comprises approximately ⅖ of the entiresurface of the element 3.

[0044] With the device according to the invention, a continuousdispensing of active ingredient is provided, and the air is effectivelyfreshened. The function of the device according to the invention isbased on the interaction between the arising capillary force in theridges 11,12 and the rinse water of the toilet bowl running off of thearea 3 a. After the container is activated and after repeated flushing,this ensures that the active substance will not run out and be used upeven when there is a long time between flushes. The life of the deviceaccording to the invention is increased phenomenally, and in particularthe life can be controlled individually depending on the utilized activeingredients by correspondingly changing the groove structure. Thetransfer of the active substance solution in the container 1 iscontrolled by the capillary force in the container 1 as explained.

1. A device to dispense an active substance into rinse water, especially in toilet bowls, with a container for the active substance, wherein the container has a neck or an opening which is connected with a plate-shaped distributor unit, further comprising a device to fix the distributor unit on or close to the wall of the toilet bowl, said distributor unit consisting of two plate-shaped elements, wherein intersecting grooves or channels are provided between said plate-shaped elements, wherein a first group of grooves or channels runs outward from the distributor unit while the second group of grooves or channels runs within the distributor unit.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the grooves of the first group have a smaller cross-section than the grooves of the second group.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the second plate-shaped element has an opening to receive the neck or an opening of the container.
 4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the opening comprises a receiving flange facing the container.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the grooves of the second group are formed in the surface of one of the two plate-shaped elements.
 6. A device according to claim 1, wherein he grooves of the second group are formed in the facing surfaces of the first and the second plate-shaped elements.
 7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the grooves are formed in the surfaces of the first and second plate-shaped elements, and wherein further said grooves in the first and second plate-shaped elements coincide.
 8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second plate-shaped elements comprise means for connecting the first and the second plate-shaped elements.
 9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second plate-shaped elements comprise means for connecting the first and the second plate-shaped elements, wherein said means is comprised of a film hinge.
 10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the grooves of the first group and the grooves of the second group coincide between the first and the second plate-shaped element.
 11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the grooves of the first and second group are formed in the bottom surface of the second plate-shaped elements.
 12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the grooves of the first and second group are essentially parallel to each other.
 13. A device to dispense an active substance into rinse water, especially in toilet bowls, with a container for the active substance, wherein the container has a neck or an opening which is connected with a plate-shaped distributor unit, further comprising a device to fix the distributor unit on or close to the wall of the toilet bowl, said distributor unit consisting of two plate-shaped elements, wherein intersecting grooves or channels are provided between said plate-shaped elements, wherein a first group of grooves or channels runs outward from the distributor unit while the second group of grooves or channels runs within the distributor unit, wherein the first plate-shaped element projects beyond the edge of the second plate-shaped element and defines a projecting area, wherein the projecting area is provided with the grooves of the first group over its major part.
 14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the projecting area is projecting in sidewards direction of that first plate-shaped element.
 15. A device according to claim 13, wherein the grooves of the first group have a smaller cross-section than the grooves of the second group.
 16. A device according to claim 13, wherein the second plate-shaped element has an opening to receive the neck or an opening of the container.
 17. A device according to claim 13, wherein the opening comprises a receiving flange facing the container.
 18. A device according to claim 13, wherein the grooves of the second group are formed in the surface of one of the two plate-shaped elements.
 19. A device according to claim 13, wherein he grooves of the second group are formed in the facing surfaces of the first and the second plate-shaped elements.
 20. A device according to claim 13, wherein the grooves are formed in the surfaces of the first and second plate-shaped elements, and wherein further said grooves in the first and second plate-shaped elements coincide.
 21. A device according to claim 13, wherein the first and second plate-shaped elements comprise means for connecting the first and the second plate-shaped elements,
 22. A device according to claim 13, wherein the first and second plate-shaped elements comprise means for connecting the first and the second plate-shaped elements, wherein that means is comprised of a film hinge.
 23. A device according to claim 13, wherein the grooves of the first group and the grooves of the second group coincide between the first and second plate-shaped element.
 24. A device according to claim 13, wherein the grooves of the first and second group are formed in the bottom surface of the second plate-shaped elements.
 25. A device according to claim 13, wherein the grooves of the first and second group are essentially parallel to each other. 